Otto Moritz Walter Model (German pronunciation) (24 January 1891 - 21 April 1945) was a German general and later field marshal throughout World War II. He is well-known for his defensive battles in the latter half of the war, mainly on the Eastern Front but as well in the west, and for his close association with Adolf Hitler and Nazism. He has been entitled the Wehrmacht''s best defensive tactician.
Even though he was a hard-driving, aggressive panzer commander early in the war, Model became best termed as a practitioner of defensive warfare. The success of his at the head of the 9th army in the defensive battles of 1941-1942 determined his future career path.
Model first came to Hitler''s attention previous to World War II, but their relationship did not become chiefly close until 1942. His stubborn style of fighting and aggressive personality won him plaudits from Hitler, who measured him one of his best field commanders and repeatedly tasked him along with retrieving desperate situations. Though, their relationship had broken down by the end of the war, after Model was defeated in the Battle of the Bulge.